Patents by Inventor Walter M. Franklin, III

Walter M. Franklin, III has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Embedded connector attached to a base panel
    Patent number: 7521108
    Abstract: One leg of a connector connector is embedded inside a slot cut in a base panel structure. Adjacent laterally extensive legs overlap and are bonded to the face sheet of the base panel structure. Structural members can be attached to the remaining leg(s) of the connector. The legs bonded to the base panel structure enable loads to be transferred to or from the panel structure, and enable peel-off loads to be distributed through the base panel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Walter M. Franklin, III, David A. Hooke
  • Aircraft tail configuration for sonic boom reduction
    Patent number: 6824092
    Abstract: A supersonic aircraft comprises a wing having upper and lower surfaces and extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge and at least two engine nacelles coupled to the lower surface of the wing on the trailing edge. The supersonic aircraft further comprises an inverted V-tail abutting to the upper side of the wing comprising a central vertical stabilizer, at least two inverted stabilizers coupled to sides of the central vertical stabilizer and coupled to the wing and supporting at least two engine nacelles, and at least two ruddervators respectively pivotally coupled to at least two inverted stabilizers. The supersonic aircraft also comprises a controller coupled to at least two ruddervators and capable of adjusting the aircraft longitudinal lift distribution throughout a flight envelope to maintain a reduced sonic boom and reduced drag trim condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Supersonic Aerospace International, LLC
    Inventors: Walter M. Franklin, III, John M. Morgenstern, Howard Lee, Brian Quayle, Ken Hajic, John Scarcello, Alan E. Arslan
  • Integral end attachment fitting
    Patent number: 5350611
    Abstract: The invention is a hollow tubular member with an integral attachment end fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventors: Walter M. Franklin, III, Matthew G. Swain, Bryan W. Kreimendahl
  • Process for making hollow tubular structural members with integral end attachment fittings
    Patent number: 5217555
    Abstract: The invention is a process for forming a hollow tubular member with an integral attachment end fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventors: Walter M. Franklin, III, Matthew G. Swain, Bryan W. Kreimendahl